On the first day of his three-day road show in Haryana, Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal was attacked on Friday by a youth at Loharu Chowk, outside Dadri, when he stopped to meet some supporters.

The attack took place in the Bhiwani constituency, where Haryana Minister Kiran Chaudhary was also attacked on March 19 while campaigning for her daughter and Congress candidate Shruti Chaudhary at Narnaul.

Eyewitnesses said Jitender Sangwan, now arrested by the Bhiwani police, and three others were watching the road show when he got up and hit Mr. Kejriwal on the neck. He was caught by AAP supporters who began thrashing him. But Mr. Kejriwal intervened and asked them “not to follow the example of the opposition and release the attacker.”

Senior Superintendent of Police Satinder Gupta told The Hindu that the youth, hailing from the Tosham sub-division in Bhiwani district, is a law graduate who appeared to be under the influence of liquor. Initial interrogation revealed that the attacker was possibly upset at “the hijacking of Anna Hazare’s andolan by Mr. Kejriwal.”

AAP worker Anupam, who was part of the road show, said: “It was a small incident, and we have not allowed it to interrupt our road show, which has evoked a huge response. We are running five hours behind schedule because of the numerous stops on the way.”

Within minutes, Mr. Kejriwal urged his supporters through Twitter not to respond violently. “If you are part of this movement — kasam khao kabhi haath nahi uthaoge, chahe kitna bada hamla kyon na ho [promise that you will not retaliate, no matter how big the attack is].”

“Someone hit me hard on my neck just now. This kind of violent reaction is expected of them. It only shows their true character and desperation.”

“If we ever become violent, the movement wud be finished. So pl pl pl, in future if anyone hits us including me, we shud be nice to him.”

AAP spokesperson Rajeev Godara said, “This attack is not an expression of opposition to the AAP. This appears to be a mischievous act designed to insult and sully Mr. Kejriwal’s honour. Sure, there is anger in Haryana at the lack of governance and inadequate livelihoods, but that anger is not coming out on the streets as yet.”

This is the fourth attack on a political leader in Haryana in recent weeks.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was attacked at public functions in Gohana and Dabwali in February. The attack on Ms. Chaudhary was more serious: she had to be admitted to hospital after miscreants threw stones at her at a public meeting at Narnaul. She has since blamed Dharambir Singh, BJP candidate from Bhiwani, for the incident.

The AAP has fielded candidates from all 10 seats in Haryana, which goes to the polls on April 10. Both Mr. Kejriwal and Yogendra Yadav belong to Haryana.

It was astonishing that an Anna supporter asks some questions and he is beaten black and blue by the AAP activists. This shows the people surrounding Kejriwal, who is pretending to be more honest than Gandhiji. His track record is clear that by blackmailing and working at the behest of a party, he can propel the votes in his favour and fulfill his aspirations to be in the limelight. These ex bureaucrats especially from IT who have harassed the honest tax payers cannot do anything good for the common man. He says he anticipated the threat because he knew very well that he cannot roam around freely in Delhi. That is the reason why he went on diversionary mode to Kanpur, Gujarat and Varanasi. AK is doing everything for mobilisation of fund and to be in limelight and his delivery record everywhere is bismal.

from:
Ramaj

Posted on: Mar 31, 2014 at 18:17 IST

AAP leaders are new in Indian political arena being decent, polite and prone to listen to any common person and that's why the cunning established parties like Congress, BJP which have been notorious to formulate norms of corruption, communal division, physical attacks and slogans of any obnoxious words and malicious accusation to the rivals, are attacking them with words and sometimes physically. I remember Social activist Safadar Hashemi having been brutally murdered in NCR by political goons. Goons and hired unsocial elements in all certainty might have been brought up and paid to intimidate these new crusaders without remorse and a media hostile to AAP is not reporting honestly. It is Time they have to chalk out a comprehensive strategy and a protective surrounding around them. AAP which has emerged so rapidly and successfully after getting challenged by a many selfish, arrogant political parties must attract venomous vengeance from them specially from cadre based parties and some supported by radical organisations. The ruling Congress which capitalizes on the actions and provocations by BJP while the latter which thrives on the issue of corruption and deficiencies of governance by the former are faces of the same coin and yield similar outputs against a common man or woman or as a whole against our society. A Congress party pretending with aid of some legislation only not to be implemented in its true spirit with an opposition like BJP a true help in disguise, has ceased to face an euphoric, surmise laden party lead by an astute, self centered , bashing his own mentors in form of Modi. AAP has to move very cautiously they have to face a man Modi who has already demolished his party structure and replaced it with his own name defacto, having sustained a lot of throat cutting experience from selling tea to ruling over a province, having a profile of reputation dear to the rightist hardliners, boasting of a hollow development appeasing the crony corporate bodies at the cost of poor people suffering from malnutrition and human development amenities. Not conversant with the basic knowledge of even school subjects as he has proved time and again during his orations, struggling whole life as a perfect Darwinian specimen of best Struggler for existence swallowing any rival in his way, undoubtedly could go to any extent to win the election even at the cost of national interest. Analyse even the development of Nitish Kumar in Bihar where education to the poor and human development index will be far higher than that rumoured by BJP for Gujrat.
The people of India has been bestowed upon with an opportunity in form of AAM AADMI PARTY and Kejriwal must prove the SAVIOUR OF AAM AADMI. He and his colleagues are precious and must be protected.

from:
Ahmed Elias Raheal

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 20:26 IST

Kejriwal is not covered by the media on a daily basis as was done earlier. Ultimately, he may also lose the Delhi assembly elections from the way things are going for him at the moment. He ran away from Delhi to concentrate on Parliament elections hoping to become the next PM. However, the picture looks far from rosy at the moment.

from:
Nathan

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 19:10 IST

Without properly looking at the map in AAP site,BJP reported in the half-baked manner, but the truth is they have put the real India map in the site. Why BJP shows so much urgency and not analyzing anything properly to belittle AAP? Are they their main competitors, not Congress? On the same lines, people should not vote for BJP as they have shown Kashmir as "disputed region" in their main website, what does it mean? AAP is very firm that Kashmir is integral part of India.

from:
asana

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 17:15 IST

Good. So, when is the next show?

from:
Vikram

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 14:54 IST

create media stunt and when all the cameras are on you do your usual propaganda. AK is a real political genius!!

from:
Tarun Rai

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 10:47 IST

One more drama enacted by AAP.

from:
A.SESHAGIRI

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 09:31 IST

This action of violence is to be condemned. However, having said that, it should be borne in mind that Kejriwal is hardly a saint. He is as much an opportunist as anybody else. Little wonder then that he seeks to justify the existence of the infamous and regressive khap panchayats.

from:
Ajit

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 08:33 IST

The Attacks like these and the recent violent comments of some of the candidates to cut and thrash their rival makes our belief more stronger to vote against these parties and vote for AAP instead. Shame on the event like these as the normal public do not assault any leader like this, if this would have been the case then the leaders like Rahul and Modi would have been assaulted many a times in their rallies.

from:
Akhilesh Kumar

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 07:07 IST

Mr. Kejriwal has no concern for law. Some people have decided to take his cue and break the law in their own ways. Their methods might be slightly different from that of Mr. Kejriwal. Mr. Kejriwal is reaping what he has been sowing.

from:
Sachidanand Kabir

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 04:31 IST

It would appear that the person who attacked kejrival is an Annaji supporter, as per published information. Nevertheless not a good incident.

from:
simhan

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 03:12 IST

AAP Chief, Kejriwal, seems to be organising these attacks on him by himself to gain popularity. What a dirty game. He has been struggling to come to lime-light since he resigned as CM Delhi. Kejriwal, fight election on truthy dont play these dirty tricks. You played same with Anna to gain fame.

from:
satish

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 00:56 IST

You said it Sir, AAP's upcomming victory will not be digestable to other leading cobras in India, so we should expect more extrimists from them. Be prepare for always, because young India needs you become the P.M 0f India very sooner, now Our country is going to sink into atrophy unless such a politicians like you emerged urgently.

from:
Eldho Kuriakose

Posted on: Mar 29, 2014 at 00:56 IST

Since 23rd may 1964 i hate Government , except Shastriji, Morarji and Atal ji

from:
Shree Parashurama Kalki

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 23:37 IST

I wish AAP to get 239 seats to 317 seats of Lok Sabha and pass the Jan Lok pal bill and eradicate the corruption

from:
Shree Parashurama Kalki

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 23:35 IST

Is the person who hit Kejriwal, an AAP sponsored person? It seems to me so.

from:
Venugopal Reddyy

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 23:32 IST

What kejriwal is doing is exceptionally good but he needs to understand that in real world no one can bring in a small span of time. First he should understand rather learn things than put it on real ground. Leader should be compatible, imaginative (not plagiaristic) and intelligentand then honest.

from:
vikash rajt

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 23:30 IST

Why is it that only AAP leaders are being targeted. . Can be a tactic of AAP to gain publicity for itself considering the frequency with which these kind of attacks happening to AAP leaders

from:
Mohit

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 23:29 IST

this is kejriwal...respect..

from:
akhil

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 22:54 IST

Now I am beginning to suspect if this is a regular stunt of the AAP.

Without some untoward event taking place, this party seems to be unable to get any traction at all in the media.

from:
B S Kumar

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 22:48 IST

Am sure Kejriwal would have been hit by his own supporter, who could not bear with him anymore.

from:
Subbu Dharma

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 22:42 IST

this is what happens with a person who is honest or true,

from:
ashish kumar meena

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 22:36 IST

A very unfortunate incident! It shows that it is so difficult for a person who wants to work sincerely and honestly for the betterment of the people. The incident was like the British punishing those Indians who fought for Independence. The only difference is that our people themselves are acting like them. There has been a wide spread dishonesty among all sections of people. People have been accepting bribe to vote. When this will go away? The political parties are taking advantage of the poverty and inciting the poor to take money and alcohol to vote. To what level we have come down to? Oh people of India! When will you change?

from:
Chary Tamirisa

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 22:36 IST

Change is hard to come by. If a former CM gets this treatment and respect, it only tells what we can expect of ordinary men. Your courage is inspiring.

from:
Senthil Natarajan

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 22:30 IST

There are apprehension that may more violent attacks will be there on leaders. We must understand that anti social elements in collusion with vested interest will like to stop the march of AAP. The terrorists by hurting leaders will strive hard to disturb the already fragile communal peace . Arvind has rightly appealed to maintain clam .

from:
RP Juyal

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 22:13 IST

No one should vote for "AAP" , they have shown Kashmir as part of Pakistan, and want referendum there. We are firm that Kashmir is integral part of India. Let "AAP" supporter reply

from:
Bhagwan Matai

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 22:07 IST

both bjp and congress particularly bjp is in jittery

from:
seetharamank

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 21:55 IST

Imagine something like that happening in Gujarat. It would have been the "talk" of the nation!

from:
Gopal

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 21:45 IST

Kejriwal requests his supporter not to reply violence with violence. Narendra Modi's approach is eye for an eye. Modi is a disgrace to Gujarat - the state, that gave Mahatma Gandhi to the world

from:
abhijit bhattacharya

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 21:10 IST

they can attack him, but can't defeat him...he will grow stronger in peoples' mind...

from:
vinod

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 20:58 IST

The attack on Mr Arvind Kejiriwal is an undemocratic action weather the attacker has any personal grudge or belongs to any party is unpardonable and undemocratic.The attacker should be tried in court and punished.

from:
p tilak sharma

Posted on: Mar 28, 2014 at 20:58 IST

Today there was a high court order regarding the foreign funding of BJP and congress,,and Hindu and times killed that story ..may because of that BJP and congress attacked kejrival